The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1887-01-06
n..s .la.s... a. dc. ledge. r. =. n


CRATrArf,ocn., FLA. Dec. 30. 1850.
Nsitoss FIorid;sa.' A. s -
In accnrdance with time houored custom
Gee Lodge, No. 81, had very interesting cello
bration Of 81. John the Evangelist, on the night
Of the 37lh, in the way of public installatioa OF
officers, aud a supper. Well did the committee
do their duty In arranging the refreshments for
the large company Of visiting friends; and well
did the friends do their duty in reiishing and
devOuring the same.
Al eight o'clock, the hour appointed for the
ceremonies to begin, the doors were opened by
the Tyler and in p few moments the lodge room
was filled till every available space was oc-
cupied. The audience was called 10 order by
ceremonies. After singing an installation ode
to Home Sweet Home" which was Joined In
by the audience, Dr. Carter, Of Tallahassee,
visiting brother and acting chaplain for the Oc-
casion, offered an appropriate prayer.
The Worshipful Master, e. II. Spear. then
arose and made the following remarks. which
were listened TO very attentively and produced
good impressions among brethren and visiting
friends:
REMARKS OF wORsHIPFUL MASTER h. n. Spear,
BEFORE INSTALLING THE OFFICERS OF GEE
LODGE, NO. 21,P.A.N.
Ladies, Brothers, and Eiends: Time In Its ever
ceaseless fight has again brought NJ together -
ensuing year, well % 70 celebrate the Sacred An
niversary Of st. John the Evangelist, whose preach
Ing and gospel has been so important to Free
m.son:Eteaching - it does the great masonic les
can ever forget that he has laid his hands upon the
gospel OF st. John 1t that altar, and 90 should he
never cease 70 lore the brothers according to the
doctrines Of love and charity contained In that
Like the sands !. cha hnur e,asa one Of the sym
bols of Sfeaession and an emblem Of human life
Whlcn pass aHey almost imperceptibly, yet In the
snort space OF one hour they are all exhausted We
nave passed ravidiy through another masonic year:
we can Dot look back tonight with pleasure and
much Thanksgiving to one year ago when We met in
this ball on similar occasion, snd In our remarks
gave utterance to the hope and prediction that
with the aid and assistance Of that Supreme Light
men and Masons, and with the blessngy Of merci-
full Providence We would make some advancement
In the pro%io.io. Of The principle: and tenet. Of
our profession during the year Just passed. That
hope and prediction has to great extent been veri
fed. We enjoyed 10 . wonderful extent the bless
ings Of Providence, and Gee Lodge, No. 81, has
influence for good short time ago our member
ship Was small our treasury empty and our build
ing gone to decay. An appeal for aid was sent out
" our brethren which brought us liberal contribu.
-
from New York and Savannah, Ca, which demon
strsted TO 10 that the great heart Of masonry 10
alive and quick In lite responses to the call OF
charity. With this aid and our own exertioLs, and
the increase and prosperity We have had since, We
can Tonight on this sacred anniversary. sit In our
new completed building with the happy refscsion
that all our debts are paid and some money left in
the treasury besides contributing to various objects
Of charity during the past year
Death the great destroyer of mankind and leveler
OF all distinctions, has invaded our circle dur
ing the past year. which of itself is cause sufficient
to swell our Darts with gratitude and than ksgvng
Yet brothers, we cannot overlook the sad fact that
v. nave recently been called upon to sympashizs
with our brother Phlbrick, whose heart 10 now
overwhelmed with sorrow and grief at the death OF
his good and afectioDate wife. None but those who
have lost bosom companion and passed through
such Affections can understand fully the crushing
power Of such bereavements and while our brother
is thus bowed down in sorrow We should not forget
to extend to him our best sympathy and brothery
support
Brethren, 1t has been my pleasure and privilege to
| be member of Gee Lodge for more than quarter
| Of century. On the 9th Of December 1858. just
Is years ago tonight, about this hour celebrs
ton similar TO this. stood before that altar and
| took upon myself the obligations Of . Master Ma
con, and shall never forget the impressive lectures
with which 1t was conferred upon me by Worshipful
Master, Bro. r. NJ Scarborough, whose picture
hangs there upon that wall. | have never had oc-
casion to regret that action have never felt that
was made worse by it, nor have known man to
be made worse citizen BY such action. While We
may have seen masonry imposed upon, while We
may have Its principles and teachings ignored
| and disregarded BY unworthy members, yet We
| cannot recall single instance where masonry has
+ imposed upon one of its members. We have never
known q n1an made or less useful to society
by the principles and Lessons inculcated at that
altar. We have never seen q mind contaminated or
made less refined BY studying and learning the i'm
| port of those simple yet beautiful emblems laid
down upon that carpet which hangs upon that wall
Some OF Us can look back to the period when Gee
Lodge vas prosperous. Her membership was
| large, and her treasury full, and her charities
spread out over this land more than . cable tows
length. Some ofthe best men and brightest masone
held their membership here Among them can We
name such men - DR.. Samuel Boardman, her first
Master and principal mover In obtaining our char
ter. whose venerable picture has been donated
| to rs BY himsen and hangs graceful ornament
| thcre upon that wall. Also can We name such men
a. Grand Master Henry Gee, Ito whom We are in-
dcbted for our name) and jesse Coe D. P. Holland,
and host Of other bright masonic lights who have
occupied the east aud the west and tho south and
held simple membership upon this floor.
But change came; our members became few and
human and Providential causes. Death claimed
bis share, others Identified, Others were dropped.
Thus, brethren, do three simple but terrible words
helpless condition as lodge, which almost resulted
| In the surrender Of our charter. Died IDENTIFIED
Dropped and, strange to say, all three words like
many bad words Of our language, begin With q D.
In conclusion, let as be admonished tonight, in
view OF the past history OF Gee Lodge and for the
sake of the memory Of those who have long since
laid down tho gavel, that our cause being good,
grand and glorious, will put forth all our efforts
to perpetuate Ito memory and keep alive the char
| ter Of Gee Lodge, No. 81
thank you Tor your attention.
At the conclusion of his remarks the following
officers elect for the ensuing year were presented
10 rotation by Marshal A. G. White, and install
led with the mssonsic ceremonies 30 beautiful
and appropriate: W. B. Sims, W. n; e. W.
Scarborough, g. W.; Joel Rice. J. w.; DR.. W.
B. Fmman, Treasurer; q. q. Spear, Secretary.
After installation the closing ode was sung with
much enthusiasm to the tune Of Old Hundred
with prayer by the Chaplain.
When it was announced that refreshments for
ell were In waiting in the hall below promptly
did all respond Thus passed pleasantly, and I
hope probably, another anniversary of B. John.
When the supper was over many Of the young
and gay repaired to Scarborough hall, where
most Of the remaining night was spent with
music and dancing 8.
Jacksonville Daily News, Jan. IL
A ViaAacation.